A case control series for the effect of photobiomodulation in patients with low back pain and concurrent depression PBM for Low Back Pain and Depression

• Published in: LASER THERAPY Vol. 27; no. 3; pp. 167 - 173
• Main Authors: Gabel, Charles Philip, Petrie, Samuel R, Mischoulon, David, Hamblin, Michael R, Yeung, Albert, Sangermano, Lisa, Cassano, Paolo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Phototherapy Association 2018
• Subjects: Depression; low back pain; low level laser therapy; near infrared and red light; photobiomodulation
• ISSN: 0898-5901; 1884-7269
• DOI: 10.5978/islsm.27_18-OR-18

Background and aims: To present incidental findings in patients with low back pain (LBP) who receivedphotobiomodulation (PBM) administered to the back and thighs as an adjunct to physical therapy(PT) and then experienced improvement in concurrent depression. Materials and methods: Five outpatients with LBP and concurrent self-reported depression were treatedfor LBP over five weeks with PT (5-sessions) and concurrent PBM (final 3-sessions), and retrospectivelymatched to five control patients treated with PT alone (5-sessions). The PBM device emitted light at850nm and 660 nm with an irradiance of 100 mW/cm2 and fluence of 3 J/cm2 on 12 symmetrical posteriorsites (thoracic, lumbar and thighs) for 30 sec/site. Results: Both groups had non-significant differences in all baseline scores, except for higher functionalstatus (ARGS) in the PBM-group (33.6 ± 12.2 vs.18.6 ± 3.6, t(8) = 2.638, p= 0.030). After treatment, themean decrease in depression scores (OMSQ-12 item #6) was significantly larger in the PBM-group (43.0± 22.0 vs. 8.0 ± 5.7, t(8) = 3.449,p = 0.009). Improvement in functional status (ARGS) in the PBM-groupwas similar to that in the controls (42.0 ± 13.5 vs. 43.4 ± 11.1, t(8) = 0.179, p = 0.862), suggesting group differences in antidepressant effect were independent of functional status improvement. Conclusions: This preliminary investigation suggests that an antidepressant effect may result from PBMto the back and thighs in patients with LBP and concurrent depression.